Lori Dyess' Action Research

The weekly readings have enlightened me on the use of action research. Action research is an important aspect of the education field. When using action research everyone benefits from the information. When the educators conduct an action research plan individually on their environment, they can prosper from the results as well as the students. The teachers are motivated to make changes that they recognize as a downfall upon themselves. I can see how my action research could help show the administration of our district the details as to how the special needs students will benefit with the use of iPads in everyday life. If they will take this information and allow it to improve the function of these students, some of these students will not be as needy as they are now. I also see a benefit of a group of educators working together on an action research project. Having more people working together, you would have a variety of ideas to use and to scale as to what would be the best way to go. Action researches can be imperative to a principle to help them stay on task and step back and reflect on the areas that need the improvements. 

Action Research Reflection 3/31/13

At this point and time, I am working on the finishing up of the project.  One of the classes that I have placed devices in is done with their part of the project.  The other class has come to depend on the devices, and I found that interesting.  The students and the teachers in the lower level special education class want to make sure that they will continue to have use of the devices for the remainder of the school year.  I was going to stop my research project by the end of March, but the teacher of the lowest special education class has asked me to continue until mid May.  She has even been able to use the devices to help with the students with Math, History, Science, Art, Music and many other subjects.  She has come to rely on the devices to teach her students the different subjects. 

I have done a bunch of research planning and finding the appropriate applications that can be with the students in these classes.   Also, I had to find the applications that were at each of the student’s levels after speaking with the teacher, the paraprofessionals and working with the students to know what level was best for them as well as their interest.  At this time I have spent 254 hours working toward the completion of my research project.   I feel that I have several more hours to go, but it is coming to an end.